Bookmarks

ABSTRACT

A bookmark employing a bifurcated elongated member for extending around one or more pages of a book and having an ornamental crown fastened to the member for indicating the type of book on which the bookmark is placed. A ribbon is pivotally mounted on the bookmark between the bifurcated elongated member and the crown for 360* pivoted movement.

United States Patent 24/8l, 67.9, 255, 259 DC, 259 SP, 81 DM; 28l/42 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 785,215 3/1905 Hill ..1 16/1 19 Anderson 1 June 20, 1972 [54] BOOKMARKS 1,089,348 3 1914 Rutty et a1. ..24 67.9

1,816,910 8/1931 MOOIB ..281/42 [721 Invent g 3 l i f g gg Hatch 1,898,429 2/1933 Domenego... ...116/119 3,308,784 3/1967 Miller ..116/119 221 Filed: April 10, 1970 Primary Examiner-Louis J. Capozi [2|] 27367 Attorney-Warren F. B. Lindsley 521 u.s.c1 ..116/119, 281/42 ABSTRACT 51 1111.01 ..B42d 9/00 3 [58] Field 61 Search ..116/119, 173;40/1 1, 23 A; A empbymg a member extending around one or more pages of a book and having an ornamental crown fastened to the member for indicating the type of book on which the bookmark is placed. A ribbon is pivotally mounted on the bookmark between the bifurcated elongated member and the crown for 360 pivoted movement.

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures BOOKMARKS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Known bookmarks have proven to be unsatisfactory since they utilize flexible ribbon members easily misplaced or lost, inadvertently removed, and unavailable when needed. Openended bent spring wire used as a fastening means tends to tear, scrape or harm contacted surfaces upon insertion, withdrawal and repositioning of the bookmark. Fastening means attached to the pages of a book leave undesirable impressions on the contacted surfaces, particularly when objects are stacked on the marked books. Open-ended bent spring wire type fastening means are not durable and are easily bent out of shape, thereby losing their stability. Locating books or bookmarks while in use results in unnecessary and tedious search.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention claimed an improved bookmark is provided which utilizes a crown for indicating the type of book on which it is used as well as a ribbon member pivotally arranged for 360 rotation for easy insertion or removal from the pages of a book.

It is therefore one object of this invention to provide a durable and attractive bookmark comprised of a clip-like structure employing a 360 rotatable ribbon member which may be fastened to a book to become a temporary or permanent part thereof, and will not harm or mar contacted surfaces when inserted or withdrawn from the book. This 360 feature facilitates rotation of the ribbon member, thereby eliminating the twisting of the ribbon members in use in the book. This rotatable feature also eliminates the relocation of the fastening means if the bookmark is used to mark one place and the ribbon another place. Moreover, the rotational feature is an important aid to those with deformed and pain-ridden hands from arthritis or like diseases.

Another object of this invention is to provide a bookmark adapted to depict the subject matter of the book, the varied interests and activities of the individual using the book, or his profession, company and industry association. The crown on the bookmark may be a miniature work of art identifying an art book, an animal character for a pet book or veterinarian, a nursery rhyme character for childrens books, a zodiac sign for astrology books and the like, while serving further to indicate a particular location in the book. The utilization of an omamental crown reduces time and motion expended in oftimes tiresome search for a given book or bookmark, particularly when the books have like titles and appearances. Therefore, it will be seen that the inclusion of an ornamental type crown has considerable value in that it serves a multitude of purposes; i.e., it confines and avoids release of the rotational ribbon member, serves as a means of identifying a given book, and is a helpful teaching and training aid.

A further object of this invention is to provide a bookmark which aids the physically handicapped, convalescent, young children, the retarded, elderly and professional people who have difficulty in opening a book or marking a given page and readily returning to the marked spot.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will become more apparent from the following description of the several figures of the drawing representing several embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 discloses a bookmark employing the invention;

FIG. 2 and 3 disclose modifications of the bookmark shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3a illustrates a screw member for fastening the crown to the fastening means;

FIG. 4 is a further modification of the invention shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a further modification of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a further embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing, there is shown in FIG. I a novel bookmark comprising a metal or resilient plastic fastening means such as bifurcated U-shaped structure 17 so constructed that the space between its tines will fit over any portion of the reading material of a book in a secure, harmless manner. U-shaped bifurcated structure 17 does not require a prior placement decision for marking the book. A shaft 13 is suitably fastened to the closed end of the bifurcated U-shaped structure 17 to extend laterally thereof in an opposite direction to the tines of bifurcated U-shaped structure 17 and serves as the axis for the eyelet of each rotational ribbon member. As noted from the drawing, the eyelet of each ribbon provides 360 unhindered rotation of the ribbon around shaft 13, thereby providing greater maneuverability of the ribbon members. Thus, there is provided, in this embodiment of my invention, a means whereby the bookmark proper or ribbon II will always be available when needed and cannot be misplaced, since when the ribbon is not in use between the pages of a book, it may be rotated 360 around shaft 13, using a right or left hand sliding or sweeping motion. The ribbon is immediately available to mark the desired place without disturbing or interfering with any other ribbon member in use.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, identical reference numerals are used to identify similar parts. In FIG. I is will be seen that the bifurcated U-shaped structure 17 operates as a fastening means for clamping to a page or pages of a book, and further acts as a barrier against downward movement of ribbon 1 1.

In FIG. 2, the bifurcated U-shaped structure 17' is formed similarly to an isosceles-like triangle wherein the apex of structure 17' creates a barrier to prevent downward slippage of ribbon 11. Structure 17 is so constructed that the space between its tines will effect a clip for holding one or more pages of a book.

.FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate further modifications of the bookmarks shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the tines of the bifurcated U-shaped structures 17" and 17, respectively, form a clip for gripping one or more pages of a book in the same manner as described abovefor FIGS. 1 and 2. Each structure 17" and 17" is provided with a circular member or washer 14 whose function it is to prevent the slipping of the ribbon 11 down these structures if the bifurcated structures 17" and 17 are of a narrow tined clip construction. Washer 14 may be made of any suitable material firmly attached to shafts l3, and the ribbon I 1 may be made of any flexible material.

The ornamental crowns 15 in FIGS. 1 through 4 may be made of any form desired and of a material suitable for the purpose. Crowns l5, 15', 15'' and 15" may represent any desired object, such as an animal; flower; medical, scientific or religious emblems, including letters of the alphabet for purposes of distinguishment. These crowns may be secured to the apex portion of shaft 13 in any suitable manner, as by gluing, soldering, or preferably in some instances by a screw member such as shown in FIG. 3a which functions as the axis for the rotatable ribbon and is secured by screwing into the washer and crown configurations.

As to the construction of the holding and securing bifurcated members l7, 17', 17'' and 17" shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, a variety of two-pronged tine-like structures may be used. An isosceles-like clip of FIG. 2 and the bobby pin or clip-like constructions shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 may be easily used in constructing the bookmark. If desired the bifurcated U-shaped member 17 may be made of a highly refined and polished metal such as gold or having the appearance of gold, or any other ornamental metal or resilient plastic. Ribbons l l, shafts l3, collars l4 and crowns 15 may be secured to structures 17, 17', 17" and 17" in any suitable manner. The bookmark thus created represents a valuable and useful item.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment wherein the ornamental emblem at the upper end of the fastening member 17 is replaced by a spring clip 20 for holding notes or the like, which by pressure exerted by the user upon one or both shanks 18 opens the clip to receive the notes therebetween.

FIG. 6 illustrates the fastening member 17 having a ring 14 fastened to the top thereof and a marker ribbon 11 extending therefrom.

While I have shown and described some preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that my invention is not limited to any or all of the details shown, but is capable of modification and variation within the spirit of my invention.

1 claim:

1. A bookmark comprising:

a bifurcated U-shaped structure having at least one of its tines formed of a resilient material,

said tines being separated from each other to grip the sur- 15 faces of one or more pages of a book, a shaft arranged to extend outwardly from said structure along a common axis with said structure but in an opposite direction to said tines,

an ornament mounted on the free end of said shaft; and

a ribbon provided with an aperture at one end for loosely fitting around said shaft between said tines and said ornament,

whereby said ribbon may be freely rotated 360 for ease in marking any page of a book.

2. The bookmark set forth in claim 1 wherein:

one of said tines is formed in the shape of a triangle, and

said ribbon is mounted on one of the comers of said one of said tines with said comer extending through the aperture in said ribbon.

3. The bookmark set forth in claim 1 in further combination with a washer fixedly mounted on said shaft between said tines and said ribbon for preventing said ribbon from surrounding said tines.

I 18 I I! i 

1. A bookmark comprising: a bifurcated U-shaped structure having at least one of its tines formed of a resilient material, said tines being separated from each other to grip the surfaces of one or more pages of a book, a shaft arranged to extend outwardly from said structure along a common axis with said structure but in an opposite direction to said tines, an ornament mounted on the free end of said shaft; and a ribbon provided with an aperture at one end for loosely fitting around said shaft between said tines and said ornament, whereby said ribbon may be freely rotated 360* for ease in marking any page of a book.
 2. The bookmark set forth in claim 1 wherein: one of said tines is formed in the shape of a triangle, and said ribbon is mounted on one of the corners of said one of said tines with said corner extending through the aperture in said ribbon.
 3. The bookmark set forth in claim 1 in further combination with a washer fixedly mounted on said shaft between said tines and said ribbon for preventing said ribbon from surrounding said tines. 